Russo Japanese War (1904-1905)

• Background
  • The context is the first Sino-Japanese War of 1895 and a subsequent victory of Japan
  • In the Treaty of Shimonoskei, Japan gets Taiwan, and Korea, and South Manchuria on the Liaotung Peninsula.
  • The Treaty is overturned by West and Japan is forced out of Manchuria and reduced to a sphere of influence in Korea. Japan is unhappy and feels cheated, yet again, by the West.
  • In 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion Russia sends 20,000 troops into South Manchuria and occupy Port Arthur with a naval squadron, including two battleships.
  • Japan, Great Britain, and China are not happy. Since the Japanese and British have a common enemy, it makes sense that they allied in 1902.
    • As a result of this alliance British get to concentrate their navy around home
    • The Japanese get a powerful ally in the region and a free hand against Russia.
• First Two Battles
  • In late December of 1904, the Japanese implement a surprised attack on the Russian squadron at Port Arthur and sink it.
  • Simultaneously Japan sends 275,000 troops into Southern Manchuria via Korea. They enjoy a decisive victory against the Russian army at Mukden in February.
  • Results: Russian navy and army is severely depleted. This is really important since its the first Asian "win" against a Western Country.
• Russian Revolution and Reaction
  • There is a Revolution in 1905, brought on by war defeats.
  • This leads to 7 months of turmoil across the country.
  • The Tsar decides that a decisive defeat of Japan will quash the Revolution and instill patriotism. The Tsar sends an army and the entire Baltic Fleet to crush the "Yellow Peril."
• "Take 2"
  • The entire Baltic Fleet is made up of 11 Battleships and 8 cruisers with escorts, a total of 38 ships.
  • In 1905 the Russian fleet is surprised by the Japanese Imperial Navy under Admiral Togo at the Tsushima Strait. The Japanese navy utterly defeats the Russians. The Russians loose all 11 Battleships and 7/8 cruisers. 2 ships make it to Vladivostok.
• The Treaty of Portsmouth
  • Roosevelt fears growing Japanese power in the region, so he offers to mediate the Treaty of Portsmouth.
  • Formal Results
    • Russia must leave Southern Manchuria
    • Japan gets formal control of Korea, which they annex later
    • Japan also gets control of the South Manchurian Railway. Not the country, just the railway. They get concessions for mines in Manchuria too for Iron and Coal
  • Informal Results
    • Japan is a sudden great power, which is magnified by their isolation
    • The Russian revolution of 1917 really begins here
    • Russia ever-expansionist and thirsty for a WWP, turn back to the Baltics
    • Asia wins! The beginning of the end of Imperialism.